Shibly turns 6!

Time sure flies fast. Shibly is graduating from kindergarten soon and will be heading to primary school next year. In fact, he has a school orientation in a few days.

He wanted a Minion themed cake so his parents lovingly got him a birthday cake to be shared with his classmates and Syihab's classmates.

We didn't have intentions to be boastful or anything but when we found out Syihab's classmate also had a birthday, we felt embarassed. Aiman's cake looked small in comparison and his parents didn't came to visit. While Shibly has 4 adults crowding the class. *paiseh* Purposely made him were home clothes some more so he would stand out. =p

As for party gifts for his classmates, his mom bought minion cupcakes! Expensive wor but it looked good. My SIL was telling how the kids were so excited showing them off to their moms when she was picking the kids from school.

We made jokes that my bro was like doing wedding gift exchanges. He went with cupcakes and then returned with a cake (SIL had arranged to have the cake sent directly to the school first)

Happy birthday Shibly!!

   

Jhon Tolentino is 31!

Jhon has surpassed 30 years old and landed the 31st mark on October. He likes to say that this is his last year that his age is on the calendar. hur hur

He applied half day leave and we met at Changi City Point to eat at Istanbul Gourmet. It used to be one of our go-to dinner place when it was at East Point Mall. Jhon was delighted to know that it opened in Changi City Point. The only down side it is an al-fresco kind of thing where you have to take away the food.

Either way, he was a happy man.

This year, I bought him a wallet because his current one is slowly deteriorating. To my delight, while we were window shopping with my Mom a few weeks before, I saw a good deal from Goldlion. Yeah, uncle-ish brand but the wallet, belt, buckle and even the box looked good. Plus, we were never brand kind of people.

I still wrapped it and Jhon acted surprised. I love him for that. haha

We later headed to Sim Lim to buy an external hardisk (his current one is down and pictures up to 7 years are gone! heartbreak) and then to Orchard to watch IMAX 3D movie, Gravity. I was apprehensive at first because of the price but I gave in for the birthday boy. It was awesome lah! I felt I was in space too! Not to mention, when Thor and The Hobbit trailer's was shown, I was completely blown away. I am hooked with IMAX 3D movies now.

After the movie, we went to see Fizah for dinner at Cahaya Restaurant for Jimba Noodles. Wohoo! Meeting Fizah was a little spur of the moment because days before, we were saying it's been a while since we last hung out and tada!

It was a tiring day because we walked a lot but nothing beats that happy smile on his face. Happy birthday, mahal ko!

   

Solat Class

Our Solat (prayer) class started on Sunday, 25th August 2013 at 1:30pm to 3:00pm. Since there are some differences in male and female praying methods (positioning of arms and legs and attire), classes are divided to male and female.

I was nervous but Jhon was not which was weird since he was the one who is converting.

I will share my experiences first.
My teacher was Ms Soraidah. The class was completely filled by the time she arrived. We were given a solat how-to book with a DVD. The DVD covers the basics of Solat which will be added with more prayers as one progresses while the book covers more detailed and complete prayer steps a prayers.

The class went pretty okay although I found it frustrating that sometimes sister Soraidah insist answers from us who were confused in the first place. I supposed she wants to know the level of our knowledge but the lady does not quit! There were laughters and new info learnt.

As for Jhon's class, it was more of the "abang-abang" cool where it is more chilled compared to my class. "Abang-abang" cool don't talk so much but Jhon really enjoyed Bro Umar Siraj's lessons. There were a few times where it did struck a chord in him.

As the weeks passed, we eventually had "wudhu" (ablution) and "solat" (prayer) practicals. We learnt hands on and as usual, the girls take longer time. Not only because our class is s bigger, there was just so much commotion and chattering. In fact, for "wudhu" practical, everyone wanted to take photos. What was supposed to end at 3pm, ended at 4:30pm. Imagine how hungry and frustrated Jhon was waiting for us. Lol Jhon was not the only one though because there are couples and families taking the same class too.

[Can you spot me?]

Overall, we really enjoyed our Solat class. I even made new friends.

I hope our path to strengthen our faith is forever smooth.

There is Solat 2 class but Jhon and I decided that we will embark to that class after we have solidify the basic Solat first. One step at a time yeah?

So when will Jhon officially convert to Islam?
It is still in discussion. Initially, we thought of doing it
this year but now there are talks of months before the wedding. At this point, I can't tell because it is a truly special and enlightening day for Jhon and I want to know that he is 100% ready for it.

   

Found on Google Map

On November 2012, as Jhon and I was in a bus going back to work from lunch, I saw the ever famous Google maps Street View car drove passed us.

 I was ecstatic as it passed us and was frantically waving at it and squealed at Jhon to wave too. You can imagine how I actually looked and sounded like at the back of the bus.

Why this teenage frantic excitement?
I finally have a chance to be in Google maps! I know, very random and unimportant dream but that's how I live. Dreams does not only consists of family, money, cars and etc. you got to be excited in the littlest, most random things too.

Plus, being in Google Maps is a semi cool thing in the internet world because some people or animals can be caught doing the most random or weird things.

I was caught off guard so all I did was waved. lol lame.

I did checked months later but still no update (no update of the new Changi City Point at that moment) and I totally forgot about it until today.

For security purposes, Google blurred our faces but I know it was us lah. We always sat at the back of the Comfort bus and I had my bangs last year.

We have finally made a mark in Google maps. Yey! hahaha

   

Hari Raya Haji

Selamat AidilAdha!!

Look at these 2 boys wearing their 'jubah' bought by the parent's friend who had visited Mecca. It was a perfect fit except for Syihab's because Grandma had to shorten the length.

I like how Syihab was very concentrated on how to lift his hands in prayer. lol

Favorite picture of the day.

   

Happy Children's Day!

Belated to be exact.

Shibly and Syihab was encouraged to wear Bollywood clothes for school. They don't have Indian clothes available and buying a set is so unpractical. Luckily, their dad (my bro) have an Indian-Malay friend  who has a son. So apa lagi? Pinjam ah! but it's only for Shibly so Syihab just wore home clothes.

Bro and even Jhon was home so we all went like an entourage to pick the kids up.
Everyone looked so pretty, especially the girls who went all out with the bling-bling.

We went to the small island in front of the block and let the kids play and have a mini photo shoot. It was really fun!

Mini Monkey bars with China maid in the background. haha

 No make up face.

 

Shibly had the most fun and he even wanted a replay the next day but the day was scorching hot so I made it up by making toilet roll rocket and owl. hehe

   

Bye Bye Hair

I had a hair cut last week and although I was pretty adamant about the amount I want to be chopped off (3 inches and that is excluding trimmings to make the hair style proper) I was still surprised with the final length.

The reason I had decided to cut off so much was because I wanted to remove whatever was left of the rebonded part of my hair. Therefore, I am officially free of rebonded hair after decades of it!

As per normal, I have my uncle cut my hair and when he was done, I was happy!

Before:

After:

I am very happy with the length and enjoying styling it more.